I received strumstick for a Christmas gift over 10 years ago, but I gave up because I could never learn. But then I came across with your video, and I got encouraged to try again. Thanks
As the kids say, you do you. There is no hurry, just take a little time when you can. I have a few really good tunes, impresses the extended family. It's really just for me, no batteries required entertainment.
You've got the strumming down on the strumstick for sure! It's tricky until you discover the best way to hold it. 🙂Great job on the tunes and great video! Keep on making music. 👍
Thanks, I am definitely not a performer but attempting to instruct others. Just got a chromatic version and it really opens up more tunes, just figured out Last Christmas the George Michaels song. Might do a video when time allows. Need to work out a tab format for it.
I know this is an old video, but I just discovered the McNally Strumstick and I'm looking up videos while I wait for its delivery. I play piano somewhat and attempted ukulele. I'm hoping the Strumstick is as easy for me as it is for everyone else. I want to play something well! Thanks so much for the tips and info.
It is a fun challenge and you set your own pace. I annoyed the wife for the first three months after work. Now I am easily ignored because it sounds nice. I like it because it is cheap and battery free.
I got mine 20 years ago. Still love it. I'd suggest trying a really soft pick. It helps on those upstrokes. Diatonic chords are also easy = hold the top 2 strings with your index finger at a fret and use your ring finger (or pinky) to hold the bottom string 2 frets higher. The two outside strings are the same note, just an octave apart. So, you could switch up holding the chords & catch top string with your ring finger. I also experiment with a slide for a real folksy blues sound. Post something when you get it. :-)
@@michaelknese - Thanks for the tips. My learning is not going so well. I tried holding the two strings and using my ring or pinky finger on the other string. I can't reach my finger two frets up! My fingers are so inflexible, I'm thinking I have something structurally wrong with my hand. Plus, my fingers are a bit crooked. I thought you could play a Strumstick with just one finger; that's why I bought it. Disappointed. 😞
Very informative video. Thank you for posting I myself have absolutely no musical instrument knowledge but wanting to learn a string instrument for my Autistic son to listen too. He loves to listen to blue Grass instruments like Banjos and mandolins so think a Stein stick might be a good starting point
I think you've made great progress and are quite clever to use and transpose those harmonica tabs. I agree with you on using the fingers over the pick, too, it's such a better tone to my ears. Coming from someone with many years of stringed instrument experience, you're doing a great job. Keep on! Cheers!
Love the video. I let out a very audible........."That's Hogan's Heroes!!!!" when you were playing that song. That brings back memories of my Dad calling me "Klink" when i did something stupid when i was a growing up......LOL!!!
The pick you're using is too stiff. The pick you have is generally used for playing melody or lean lines. The next time you visit a music store, get the most flexible (easy bending) pick you can find. You'll also find the shape of the pick makes a drastic difference in how it feels in your hand and how easy it is to use.
This was years ago, but I got yelled at for the loud delivered sound from even flexible pick use. So if I am going to stay on Mom's good side and forgo it.
I THOUGHT THAT TOON SOUNDED FAMILIAR!!!!!!! ( The Hogans Hero's bit ) This is Awesome!!! I am currently learning the banjo, but I really want to be able to play any stringed instrument I can pick up! ( like all of them ) One of these days I'm gonna make me a strumstick. Thanks for the harmonica tip, I'm sure it'll come in handy one of these days!
+Hugo O'Hainey I was just trying to make the learning curve shorter for others starting out with the dulcimer style of instruments. Finding tunes that was the tough part until I found the similar diatonic harmonica tabs. These videos are kind of old legacy presentations, I should post more as my new job situation stabilizes.
***** I did as a kid, and hated it. It became a barrier to exploring music at all. Everyone has different levels of talent, time, money to devote. Learning by ear produces a different type of creatively that is not bound by convention. Besides if I am not interested in a profession in music it does not matter. Do it your way not mine because learning sheet music was easy for you?
I don’t know if you still look at this or if you’ve maybe figured out what I’m about to tell you, but here is a tip for strumming with your hand, put your hand into a loose fist with your thumb out pointing left, strum down with your pointer finger, or all 4 of your fingers, and strum up with your thumb. I hope what I said made sense. Any way take care!
It would also be beneficial to learn to some ukulele strumming patterns/techniques. Look up how to play George Formby style for example, and use those techniques on your stick dulcimer.
Gordon Steeves I have tried several picks, even a felt pick, without much success. It just does not work for me, and that is the operative word, me. Someone might post a video on proper use of picks on stringed instrument someday and then I will change my mind.
Thanks for the posting. I was trying to find the "easiest" stringed instrument "easy to learn" - I love to sing and want to accompany myself. I'm a contralto and read piano music. I play songs on piano only playing the melody with my right hand. Don't do chords or left hand. DO YOU THINK this strumstick would be the best/easiest one for me?
Possibly, I don't read sheet music so it might be possible you could learn something more complicated. I wanted to learn by ear, this style of instrument got me there.
+Wertak68 - thank you - I'll contemplate the idea. But I like your using your thumb instead of a pick. Have you tried a pick you "wear" rather than having to "hold" the pick - you might like using one occasionally.
I received strumstick for a Christmas gift over 10 years ago, but I gave up because I could never learn. But then I came across with your video, and I got encouraged to try again. Thanks
As the kids say, you do you. There is no hurry, just take a little time when you can. I have a few really good tunes, impresses the extended family. It's really just for me, no batteries required entertainment.
DUDE! I've been wanting to learn more songs but the guitar and banjo tabs don't ever seem to quite transfer. Harmonica sites!!!! Thank you!
You've got the strumming down on the strumstick for sure! It's tricky until you discover the best way to hold it. 🙂Great job on the tunes and great video! Keep on making music. 👍
Thanks, I am definitely not a performer but attempting to instruct others. Just got a chromatic version and it really opens up more tunes, just figured out Last Christmas the George Michaels song. Might do a video when time allows. Need to work out a tab format for it.
I know this is an old video, but I just discovered the McNally Strumstick and I'm looking up videos while I wait for its delivery. I play piano somewhat and attempted ukulele. I'm hoping the Strumstick is as easy for me as it is for everyone else. I want to play something well! Thanks so much for the tips and info.
It is a fun challenge and you set your own pace. I annoyed the wife for the first three months after work. Now I am easily ignored because it sounds nice. I like it because it is cheap and battery free.
@@Wertak68 - LOL, I hope I don't annoy anyone as I start out. It's not as cheap as 10 years ago, but still battery-free!
I got mine 20 years ago. Still love it. I'd suggest trying a really soft pick. It helps on those upstrokes.
Diatonic chords are also easy = hold the top 2 strings with your index finger at a fret and use your ring finger (or pinky) to hold the bottom string 2 frets higher. The two outside strings are the same note, just an octave apart. So, you could switch up holding the chords & catch top string with your ring finger.
I also experiment with a slide for a real folksy blues sound.
Post something when you get it. :-)
@@michaelknese gave away my felt pick years ago, keeping it simple.
@@michaelknese - Thanks for the tips. My learning is not going so well. I tried holding the two strings and using my ring or pinky finger on the other string. I can't reach my finger two frets up! My fingers are so inflexible, I'm thinking I have something structurally wrong with my hand. Plus, my fingers are a bit crooked. I thought you could play a Strumstick with just one finger; that's why I bought it. Disappointed. 😞
Wertak68, you're awesome! Thanks for the informative and helpful video :)
Happy playing.
Thanks, it's nice to see someone that says"I'm a beginner", is in fact, a beginner. I've tried guitar, nope, and been looking at the strumstick.
It is a relatively simple instrument that rewards your modest effort.
I like the way it sounds when played with a pick.
Very informative video. Thank you for posting I myself have absolutely no musical instrument knowledge but wanting to learn a string instrument for my Autistic son to listen too. He loves to listen to blue Grass instruments like Banjos and mandolins so think a Stein stick might be a good starting point
Keep on strumming! Thanks for the great ideas. Enjoyed your videos.
Thanks, still strummin, just have not done any videos. Waiting for someone to do a good chords video.
I think you've made great progress and are quite clever to use and transpose those harmonica tabs.
I agree with you on using the fingers over the pick, too, it's such a better tone to my ears.
Coming from someone with many years of stringed instrument experience, you're doing a great job.
Keep on! Cheers!
Thx for the tips. Big help. Great playing stick with it. I prefer non pick as well
looks like you're having fun. sounds good too.
You can also use the back corner of a pick for a fat sound.
Love the video. I let out a very audible........."That's Hogan's Heroes!!!!" when you were playing that song. That brings back memories of my Dad calling me "Klink" when i did something stupid when i was a growing up......LOL!!!
This will get you half of my family recognizes the Flintstones theme music. Younger generation has no notion of what I am playing.
The pick you're using is too stiff. The pick you have is generally used for playing melody or lean lines.
The next time you visit a music store, get the most flexible (easy bending) pick you can find.
You'll also find the shape of the pick makes a drastic difference in how it feels in your hand and how easy it is to use.
This was years ago, but I got yelled at for the loud delivered sound from even flexible pick use. So if I am going to stay on Mom's good side and forgo it.
I THOUGHT THAT TOON SOUNDED FAMILIAR!!!!!!! ( The Hogans Hero's bit ) This is Awesome!!! I am currently learning the banjo, but I really want to be able to play any stringed instrument I can pick up! ( like all of them ) One of these days I'm gonna make me a strumstick. Thanks for the harmonica tip, I'm sure it'll come in handy one of these days!
Just bought a D Strumstick
I play harmonica so that was interesting about converting harp tabs
great playing
+Hugo O'Hainey I was just trying to make the learning curve shorter for others starting out with the dulcimer style of instruments. Finding tunes that was the tough part until I found the similar diatonic harmonica tabs. These videos are kind of old legacy presentations, I should post more as my new job situation stabilizes.
Learn to read sheet music, it isn't difficult.
***** I did as a kid, and hated it. It became a barrier to exploring music at all. Everyone has different levels of talent, time, money to devote. Learning by ear produces a different type of creatively that is not bound by convention. Besides if I am not interested in a profession in music it does not matter. Do it your way not mine because learning sheet music was easy for you?
I don’t know if you still look at this or if you’ve maybe figured out what I’m about to tell you, but here is a tip for strumming with your hand, put your hand into a loose fist with your thumb out pointing left, strum down with your pointer finger, or all 4 of your fingers, and strum up with your thumb. I hope what I said made sense. Any way take care!
It would also be beneficial to learn to some ukulele strumming patterns/techniques. Look up how to play George Formby style for example, and use those techniques on your stick dulcimer.
Ha! Interesting technique, I will certainly try that. Still learning tricks.
Wertak68 there are always new tricks to learn :)
great info, thanks by the way, what about using a lite pick that one would use to play a mandolin, would that work??
Gordon Steeves I have tried several picks, even a felt pick, without much success. It just does not work for me, and that is the operative word, me. Someone might post a video on proper use of picks on stringed instrument someday and then I will change my mind.
This is where you will find the PDF for the G strumstick: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0970/6796/files/All_G_same_Page.pdf?8178281791503579605
Question with your conversion chart: Is that for Strumstick in G or D? Thanks.
DAD tuning
This is a Kopuz.A very old Turkic instrument.Played all over central Asia.
veyselyazici I thought they were without frets.
Thanks for the posting. I was trying to find the "easiest" stringed instrument "easy to learn" - I love to sing and want to accompany myself. I'm a contralto and read piano music. I play songs on piano only playing the melody with my right hand. Don't do chords or left hand. DO YOU THINK this strumstick would be the best/easiest one for me?
Possibly, I don't read sheet music so it might be possible you could learn something more complicated. I wanted to learn by ear, this style of instrument got me there.
+Wertak68 - thank you - I'll contemplate the idea. But I like your using your thumb instead of a pick. Have you tried a pick you "wear" rather than having to "hold" the pick - you might like using one occasionally.
+oj shilinski I did but it did not suit me, I am sure some formal instruction might help, but I like to go at my own pace. Besides it is cheaper too.
A regular plectrum sounds a bit brassy, try a felt plectrum like many uke players use.
I did, thumb hasn't worn out yet.
Can you tell me what stumstick you are using and the make please I might get it.
Grand strumstick, by McNally.
***** Thanks for the reply
LOL Hogan's Heroes theme tune!!
Cool
I just got got a Strumstick myself and, like you, have no musical background. Thank you for the helpful tips
Do you still play?
I do, I got a chromatic version and sounded out Last Christmas for my wife. Her favorite! It is still fun.
Hey man, is that a G or a D strumstick?
G
Max Power Thank you!
DiamondMaster2009 Sorry been busy, yes that is the grand, tuned DAD.
Thank you!
And it's cool :)
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